Let's Start With This One...

Good Morning Lovelies,

With summer on the horizon, the world of puddings is changing. Yet, one that always remains, come rain or shine, is the classic Jam Roly Poly. Perfect for all occasions, even more so a jubilee celebration, it is queen of the desserts in many ways. Even in the alcohol world. 

Joining forces with ale maker, Northern Monk, Morrisons has started stocking the Aunt Bessie’s Jam Roly Poly and Northern Monk Pale Ale. Priced at £3 a can, the ale is made up of plum, apricot, strawberry  and custard flavours, making a fruity drink that is sweet enough to bring back those old-school memories. 

As someone who doesn’t drink, I was a bit unsure how I was going to taste test this beauty. However, my regular taster, my mum Jane, took one for the team on a sunny afternoon. Just after our dinner, she opened the 440ml can, which had a really gorgeous cider like colour. Instantly both of us could smell the sweet essences of the drink and loved the way it really resembled the classic pudding. 

Taking her first sip, my mum instantly surprised me. Known for being a bit picky with her drinks, she smiled and stated it was delicious. Going in for the next sip quite quickly. Something I didn’t expect at all. Happily, my mum noted that she would definitely be being the drink again. Stocking up in fact after discovering that it could be a limited edition can. 

Whilst it may not be the cheapest of drinks around, it is the perfect ale to have as a special one. Perfect for any occasion, fit for all pudding lovers or those that may not even like puddings, it is great chilled and brilliant for summer. A drink that hits all the right notes in many ways. 

Find out more about it on the Morrisons website now lovelies, to discover what others are saying and to order your own can. My mum is currently looking for it again as we speak.

What pudding would you love to see collaborate with a drink? And let me know what you all think about the drink if you try it! 

Joey X

Good Morning Lovelies,

Many of you will know that I lost my dad just over a year ago. However, that hasn’t stopped me celebrating him and the amazing men in my life, who are also dads. That includes my brothers. There so, when I was told about the new gift set from Blanka, I wanted to see what it was all about. 

Featuring an artisan soap and a non-drying hand sanitiser, the gift set comes in a gorgeous black box. All sealed with a well-crafted ribbon. As soon as you unpackaged the box, you could smell the gorgeous scents. Refreshing and woody, the scent I was sent was the Your Neck of the Woods fragrance. 

Even though the box set was created for men, both me and my mum stated that we would use the items ourselves. However, we have decided to gift it to a family member on Father’s Day. With the intent of getting another one for another member. 

Priced at £17.95, the gift is definitely worth it and I couldn’t recommend it enough. Available in other smells too, there are three options to pick and a whole host of other gifts that you can choose for the man in your life. Every age will love it.

Head to their website now to find the best one for you. Just don’t forget to let me know which one you pick! 

Joey X

Good Morning Lovelies,

With Easter sadly over, kids back at school and many of you back at work too, there is a sense of summer holidays being needed in the air. The sun has been glorious this week and it led me to thinking about a delicious bake that can be done easily and enjoyed whilst we wait for those glorious hot days.

Made with bananas and chocolate, it is the perfect mix of fruit and veg. I mean chocolate beans count as beans right? Well, they do in our house aha! Take a look at this cookie recipe below for some super fun…

Ingredients

One Cup of Quick Oats

One Large Ripe Banana

Optional - Chocolate Chips, Buttons, Sprinkles or Leftover Easter Eggs

Tools

Baking Tray

Silicone Baking Mat or Baking Paper

Large Mixing Bowl

Fork

Large Mixing Spoon

Tablespoon

Cooling Tray

Method

Start by preheating your oven to 350F or 180C and line a baking tray with baking paper or a silicone baking mat.

Next, in a large mixing bowl add in the banana and mash with a fork. Then add in your oats. Mix together until you create a thick batter. If you are going to use chocolate chips, add and do one final mix now.

Take a tablespoon and spoon eight round balls onto your baking tray. Spacing about two inches apart. Once your eight balls are ready, press gentle on the top of them to flatten into a round shape, as they will not spread when cooking.

Once ready, place and bake in the oven for 15 minutes or until lightly brown and set. When ready, take them out of the oven and place on a cooling tray. They should be easy to remove. 

Let the cookies cool before eating and store any leftovers in the fridge.

What will you be baking this weekend lovelies? 

Joey X

 

Good Morning Lovelies,

When you were younger did you ever worry about doing something? I often didn’t! That is because I absolutely loved most of what I wanted to do. Be it playing with my Barbie dolls, sorting out and planning things with friends or spending time simply doing hobbies I loved. Yet, this all changed as I got older. 

Not wanting to seem uncool or not part of the group, I changed. I changed to be something that I wasn’t. I loved things such as Twilight, but stopped because I thought others would think I was weird. I stopped appreciating my younger loves, such as dolls houses, Barbie and role playing games, to get my place within the cool group. 

Whilst some of these things are inevitable, when getting older, it is sad. So, I’ve decided to change that. If I love something or love doing something, I am going to appreciate it, embrace it and share my love all over again. Barbie dolls. Baking. Reading. Everything. I am going to love it and fangirl over it until my heart is content. Including Twilight. 

Sometimes I go online and search for the 90s and 00s loves that I adored. Playboy. Groovy Chick. Friends. Disney. All of them are now featured in my life like they were when I was younger. I love it. 

There so, I wanted to write this post to highlight that you never have to change. Adore puzzles? Keep doing them. Want to wear Disney ears to work? Do it. Displaying Barbie dolls in your house? When can I come round and look at them? Whatever it is, love it, never lose that love and do what makes you happy. 

I’m off to scroll through pictures of miniature dolls house creations now! 

Joey X

Good Morning Lovelies, 

In our house at the moment, we have been doing a lot of different things. Decorating, removing and recycling lots. For me, the best bit has been the decorating. I have loved celebrating Easter and the home felt super springy because of it. However, with the festivities now over, I’ve been looking for new finds to adorn the house. 

Luckily, I have had some help in doing so. Wychwood Art are an amazing new company, who kindly reached out to me, to see if I wanted to collaborate with them. The Cotswold art gallery based in Deddington, also sell at the Affordable Art Fair in Battersea, London, in March each year, representing over 350 contemporary artists and a free art advisory service too. 

After being gifted the option to select a piece, me and my mum went with the gorgeous E Is For Elephant print by Clare Halifax. An artist I hadn’t heard of before, but am now obsessed with. 

Securely packaged and sent quickly, the print arrived at my house in a matter of days. I hadn’t shown my selection to my mum until it came. A little Easter surprise if you will. As a huge elephant fan, she absolutely adored it and went out to buy a frame to hang it up in. Now, living proud in her bedroom. 

Perfect for adults and kids, the print would suit any room. Great as an alphabet idea in a child’s room or as a talking piece in a living room or dining room, it simply stands out and fits in. A reason why I loved it so much. 

Since getting the artwork, I have been looking at Clare’s work, and others, on the platform to find more for my home. They honestly feel like one of a kind pieces and I can’t wait to decorate our home with even more. Seriously, I was so impressed, it has made me want to get more involved in the art world. 

To find out more about Wychwood Art, head to their website to see the art for sale lovelies. You will not be disappointed by what your eyes and home might discover. 

Joey X 

 

• 200g Softened Butter
• 100g Light Muscovado Sugar
• 1 Egg
• 250g Plain Flour
• 1 Tsp Cinnamon
• 2 Tsp Baking Powder
• 100g Sultana
• 200g White Chocolate Chips

• Mixing Bowl
• Two Baking Trays
• Whisk
• Wooden Spoon
• Sieve
• Cooling Rack
• Piping Bag or Teaspoon

1. Preheat your oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Then grease and line your baking trays, setting them to one side.
2. Beat together the butter, sugar and egg until smooth in a mixing bowl. Then sift in the flour, cinnamon and baking powder, before combining to make a dough. 
3. Add in the sultanas and 100g of the white chocolate chips. Mix to combine all together.
4. Using your hands, pull and roll lumps of dough into golf-sized balls. Place each ball onto a tray, leaving room for them to expand. 
5. Once ready, bake for 10 mins until golden. When they are done, remove the cookies from the trays and cool on wire racks.
6. As the cookies cool, melt the remaining white chocolate in the microwave in short bursts. Then take a teaspoon or piping bag and drizzle a cross onto each one. 
7. Leave the icing to set, before tucking into these cute hot cross bun cookies! 

Good Morning Lovelies, 

I know! We are already nearing the middle of April, but I’ve just realised that I haven’t shared what I read in March. In total, I have now read 22 books in my challenge to read 22 this year. Something I am very proud of! 

March brought eight new reads into my life and these included: 

• The Love Hypothesis
• Sofia Khan Is Not Obliged
• The Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy and Other Stories
• Utterly Me, Clarice Bean
• Badly Drawn Beth
• Seven Days In June
• Feminists Don’t Wear Pink (and Other Lies)
• Christmas At Little Beach Street Bakery

Out of all of these my favourite had to be Sofia Khan, which was fab. Plus, all of the kids books mentioned above were great too! 

What did or have you been reading recently lovelies?

Joey X

 

Hey Lovelies, 

Sunday nights are always the perfect time to catch up on the latest shows. With so much time on our hands though, it is easier now than ever before. As we seek sun and adventure, ITV has delivered it to us in the form of The Good Karma Hospital, which returned for a fouth season earlier this year, before landing on DVD and digitally from today, including an exciting box-set edition with all the series so far featured.

With the entire cast back, including Amanda Redman and Neil Morrisey, love, medicine and trauma is at the heart of the show. As the team joins forces again to help save the lives of the locals, they are faced with their most traumatic experience yet, as one of their own gets caught up in a horrific acid attack. Dealing with the aftermath of the assault and their own personal issues, the series has stepped it up big time when it comes to its storylines.

There has always been something about the show that reminds you of old classics like Where The Heart Is and Wild At Heart. The joy that the cast has in bringing to life the characters can be seen throughout each episode. They know and have acknowledged the modern issues people are facing and the yearning they must get it right for them.

The Good Karma Hospital may not be a building people will want to visit, but the characters, cast and storylines will be the thing to draw you in. A good cure for a troublesome time, this is genuinely the series that your doctor will order you to prescribe to.

Good Morning Lovelies, 

Today looks like it is going to be a bright sunny day! Something I am very thankful for! Due to this glorious weather, I have been inspired to make something that I never have before. Something that doesn’t require baking and only a little time to make. Ice cream! 

Taking only a few ingredients, I have put together a recipe to help you make a fabulous flavour filled dessert that the whole family can enjoy…

Ingredients

280ml of Double Cream

Four Bananas (or alternative fruit)

Two Tablespoons of Sugar

Tools

Mixing Bowl

Fork

Spoon

Ice Cream Tub or Container

Method

First, peel and break up the four bananas into the mixing bowl. Then, using the fork, mash them into a puree. 

Pour in the double cream and add the two tablespoons of sugar to the purée. Mix together until well combined. 

Once they are all stirred together, pour the mixture into your container and place into your freezer. 

Allow the ice cream to set to your desired texture. You don’t need to go back and stir it at any point. 

When ready, enjoy at any time of the day with your favourite people!

What will you be making today lovelies? 

Joey X

Good Morning Lovelies, 

Scream is my favourite horror film of all time. I studied it at school. Can quote it openly. Will watch anything to do with it, including the very bad TV series and binge all the films in one go. Therefore, when I heard the news of a new feature being released, with the original cast returning, I couldn’t have been happier. Now out on DVD, Blu-Ray and digitally, I am very glad to say that it is as brilliant as the original. 

In fact, Ghostface even questions how well we know the original. When the killer begins striking again, murdering her estranged sister, newcomer Sam and her boyfriend head to Woodsboro to speak to those who have been affected by him before. Officer Dewey Riley agrees to help, drawing in Sidney Prescott and Gale Weathers to help him catch the killer. 

Stripping everything back, even from the original sequel, Scream goes back to basics. Yet, it does so in a way that works incredibly well. Sidney makes her ultimate on-screen return, with Neve Campbell playing the much-loved character beautifully. As does Courtney Cox, who is back as Gale. The original power pair make the classic feature feel like it has been reborn and Wes Craven would be proud of it. 

Screaming from the top of their lungs is high on the list in this feature. Not just from the characters, but audiences members too. The horror is just as good. The rules have been rewritten and work for modern audiences. The dialogue is perfectly portrayed and delivered in every way that Scream fans will want. 

Emotions are continuously tested too and hearts are set a pacing. All qualities audiences want in a sequel to a franchise that is well loved by many. 

The film fits in with the series fantastically and Craven’s touch is still present, even with him not around. Since it first began, 25-years-ago, the series has had its ups and downs, but this is a huge up for it. Seeing a reunion of epic proportions, brought in with a new cast and crew, has pumped new life into the world of horror. Something other franchises should work on doing. Let’s hope that this isn’t the end of the new beginning. 

4 Stars

Joey X

Good Morning Lovelies, 

A few years ago, all I kept hearing about was this epic show called Peaky Blinders. I didn’t know much about it, only that it featured Cillian Murphy. Deciding to binge watch it one weekend, I soon feel in love. 

Watching all of the first three series in one weekend, I couldn’t stop viewing it. I found myself gripped by every aspect of it. The characters. The stories. The way that the show challenged the old with the new. 

Advising everyone I know to watch it, if they hadn’t, the shows became a weekly viewing experience for me and my mum. Discussions being had in the most random of places. At home. Doing the weekly shop. In a charity shop. Even a car boot sale yesterday before the series six finale. 

Yes, sadly the show has now ended and this post has been made as a tribute and thanks to it. I wasn’t sure about this last season, but it ended in the most perfect Peaky way. I felt like every character got their chance to wrap up their storylines. The show has given life to a new Shelby clan. The film in the pipe line looks like it will be epic. For all of this, I am so thankful. 

If you haven’t watched it, now is your chance to binge watch the lot. Honestly, go and do it now. You won’t be disappointed. As Tommy Shelby would say, there will be, “no fucking fighting,” just how good it is. 

What did you think of the finale lovelies? Let me know! 

Joey X

Good Morning Lovelies, 

Sunday is the perfect time to kick back and relax. Especially with a good old cup of tea. In our house, I like to spend the morning baking, before giving my mum a piece of what I have made with a frothy flavoured latte or tea. 

Today, I am returning with a Sunday bake of very easy proportions. Whatever way you may say it, you will not be able to say no to making these two-ingredient scones. Super fast, fun and great for everyone to enjoy at any time of day…

Ingredients:

500g Self-Raising Flour

500g Thickened Cream

Tools:

Baking Tray

Mixing Bowl

Scales

Rolling Pin

Cookie Cutter

Method:

To start, pre-heat the oven to 190C/375F, before greasing and lining a baking tray. 

Taking a mixing bowl, weigh and place both ingredients inside it, before combining them together into a dough. 

Lightly flour a flat surface with flour, before placing your dough on it. Kneed until you get a good solid dough, but don’t over work it, as this will make the scones tough. 

Once ready, take a rolling pin and roll it out to be around 3-4cm in thickness. Take a cookie cutter and cut out your scones, placing them onto the baking tray. Keep repeating until all your scones are ready for the oven. 

Place into the oven and cook for 20 to 30 minutes. Remove when cooked right through.

Then enjoy hot, right out of the oven for the best taste or when you feel like it lovely. Especially, with cream and jam! 

What are you all baking today? Don’t forget to share your Sunday bakes with me lovelies! 

Joey X